Use your library time to read Greek hero tales. Complete the following questions related to the literature.
You're trapped in a room with your greatest enemy, who has the only key and superior strength. How would you get out? Now read the story of Odysseus and the Cyclops. What personal traits allowed Odysseus to escape? What personal traits got him into (or might get him into) trouble?
For another take on the Greek hero, read the tale of Odysseus and the Sirens. Odysseus simply must hear the Sirens' song, because no other mortal has heard the song and survived. Though Odysseus's strength of character (and physical strength) fails him when confronted with the Sirens' song, his wits save him thanks to his pre-arrangements to prevent escape. In the process, Odysseus learns about himself.
Brainstorm a list of chores you would really dislike doing (even worse than the ch ores you already do). Then read the story of Hercules and the Twelve Labors. The EDSITEment resource The Perseus Digital Library has an illustrated online exhibit about Hercules that includes a retelling of the Twelve Labors. How would you like to do Hercules's chores? What personal traits allowed Hercules to succeed? What personal traits got him into trouble?
For a tale with a female heroine, read the story of Atalanta from the EDSITEment resources Bullfinch's Mythology. In what ways is she like and unlike a male Greek hero?
Compile a list of the characteristics Greeks admired in a hero. Add the information to the chart as with the contemporary heroes. How does a Greek hero compare to a modern hero? Are any of the traits identical? Who on the student list of contemporary heroes most closely resembles a Greek hero? What contemporary person (not necessarily an actor) would students choose to play the various parts in a movie of the tales you've shared?
Characters have unique attributes called traits. Use the following list of character traits to describe the Greek Gods and Goddesses and compare them to heroes and heroines of current times.
Mythology
Cassiopeiahttp://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf14.htm
Persephone (Proserpine)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf06.htm
Herakles (Hercules)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf18.htm
Echo and Narcissus
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf12.htm
Odysseus (Ulysses): Ulysses's Adventures
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf28.htm
Athena (Minerva)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf13.htm
Webquest
http://www.uni.edu/schneidj/webquests/fall04/mythology/index.html1. Amazon
2. Arcadia
3. Atlas
4. Calliope
5. Chaos
6. Gemini
7. Harpy
8. Iris
9. Nike
10. Oracle
11. Phoenix
12. Psyche
13. Python
14. Sirens
15. Styx
16. Titans
Use your library time to read Greek hero tales. Complete the following questions related to the literature.
- You're trapped in a room with your greatest enemy, who has the only key and superior strength. How would you get out? Now read the story of Odysseus and the Cyclops. What personal traits allowed Odysseus to escape? What personal traits got him into (or might get him into) trouble?
- For another take on the Greek hero, read the tale of Odysseus and the Sirens. Odysseus simply must hear the Sirens' song, because no other mortal has heard the song and survived. Though Odysseus's strength of character (and physical strength) fails him when confronted with the Sirens' song, his wits save him thanks to his pre-arrangements to prevent escape. In the process, Odysseus learns about himself.
- Brainstorm a list of chores you would really dislike doing (even worse than the ch ores you already do). Then read the story of Hercules and the Twelve Labors. The EDSITEment resource The Perseus Digital Library has an illustrated online exhibit about Hercules that includes a retelling of the Twelve Labors. How would you like to do Hercules's chores? What personal traits allowed Hercules to succeed? What personal traits got him into trouble?
- For a tale with a female heroine, read the story of Atalanta from the EDSITEment resources Bullfinch's Mythology. In what ways is she like and unlike a male Greek hero?
Compile a list of the characteristics Greeks admired in a hero. Add the information to the chart as with the contemporary heroes. How does a Greek hero compare to a modern hero? Are any of the traits identical? Who on the student list of contemporary heroes most closely resembles a Greek hero? What contemporary person (not necessarily an actor) would students choose to play the various parts in a movie of the tales you've shared?http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/index.html
http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/kochan/charactertraits.html
http://www.cps.k12.il.us/StaffResources/Libraries/db.shtml
Character Traits
Characters have unique attributes called traits. Use the following list of character traits to describe the Greek Gods and Goddesses and compare them to heroes and heroines of current times.